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CONTACT magazine

MRF-D

US Marine Corps Lance Corporal Eli Gregg, an assistant M3E1 multipurpose anti-armor anti-personnel weapon system gunner with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force –Darwin 24.3, assists Lance Corporal Ryan Waskosky, a MAAW gunner also with Fox Co. 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.), MRF-D 24.3, while firing a MAAW during a live-fire range as a part of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Juan Torres.
MRF-D News 

US Marines head home after six months down under

03/11/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1303 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 2024 has departed Australia, concluding the 13th annual rotation of United States Marine Corps

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ADF MRF-D News 

Major upgrades at Nackeroo complete

06/06/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1519 Views 0 Comments

Australia and the United States will now have greater training opportunities in northern Australia after the completion of upgrades to

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The names of those killed in the MV-22 Osprey crash in the Tiwi Islands are: Cpl. Spencer R. Collart, 21, of Arlington, Virginia, MV-22B Osprey crew chief. Capt. Eleanor V. LeBeau, 29, of Belleville, Illinois, MV-22B Osprey pilot. Maj. Tobin J. Lewis, 37, of Jefferson, Colorado, Executive Officer of VMM-363.
MRF-D News 

Three Marines killed in NT Osprey crash

27/08/202329/08/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2472 Views 0 Comments MV-22 Osprey crash

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin has confirmed that a US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey crash on Melville Island, north of

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Abrams tanks and United States Marines engage targets during Exercise Diamond Strike 2018. Photo by Corporal Oliver Carter.
Australian Army MRF-D News 

Aussie soldiers and US Marines injured in two vehicle rollovers

28/06/202328/06/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2207 Views 1 Comment Diamond Strike, MRF-D

Defence has confirmed that three Australian soldiers and three US Marines were taken to hospital on Tuesday 27 June after

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Members of the United States Marine Corps arrive at RAAF Base Darwin as part of the 12th iteration of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.
MRF-D News 

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2023 begins

22/03/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2595 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

The advance party for this year’s rotation of United States Marines have arrived in the Northern Territory. CAPTION: Members of

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Australian Army Japan MRF-D News 

Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2022 begins

10/05/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2138 Views 0 Comments Exercise Southern Jackaroo

Hundreds of Australian soldiers, troops from the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) and US Marines have started a major

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US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268 reinforced Air Combat Element of the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 are staged for Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment inspection at Darwin Port, NT after delivery by sea. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Cameron Hermanet.
MRF-D News 

MRF-D 22s aviation support established in Darwin

17/04/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3318 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) has arrived in Darwin. CAPTION: US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from

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US Marines with the Command Element, 5th Marine Regiment, MRF-D 22 offload a Boeing 777 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, NT, Australia, 12 March 2022. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Cedar Barnes.
MRF-D News 

2022 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin begins

14/03/202214/03/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2671 Views 0 Comments MRF-D

The first batch of US Marines posted to the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin for 2022 touched down in Darwin

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Leading Aircraftman Aaron Kouyoumtzoglou and Staff Sergeant Dustin Sheffield lock wire a fuel filter during the Enhanced Air Cooperation third phase as part of Exercise Pacific Agility. Photo by Corporal Brenton Kwaterski.
MRF-D News Royal Australian Air Force USA 

Enhanced Air Cooperation a core initiative

17/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1852 Views 0 Comments Enhanced Air Cooperation, USFPI

On November 16, 2011, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard with United States President Barack Obama announced an extension of Australia’s

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Australian Army Bombardier Damian Williams, left, confirms the ammunition type with United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kevin Matias during a live-fire activity as part of Exercise Koolendong. Story by Lieutenant Gordon Carr-Gregg. Photo by Corporal Rodrigo Villablanca.
Australian Army MRF-D News USA 

Ten years of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin

17/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1575 Views 0 Comments USFPI

On November 16, 2011, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and United States President Barack Obama announced an extension of Australia’s

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The 2016 rotation of the United States Marine Rotational Force - Darwin begin to arrive in Darwin. Photo by Able Seaman Kayla Hayes.
MRF-D News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy USA Videos 

Celebrating 10 years of expanded US defence cooperation

17/11/202121/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1671 Views 0 Comments MRF-D, United States Force Posture Initiative in Australia

On November 16, Australia celebrated a decade of expanded cooperation between the Australian Department of Defence and the United States

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US Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 (Reinforced), Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, prepare to load a UH-1Y Venom onto a ship at the East Arm Wharf, Darwin, in September. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Lydia Gordon.
MRF-D News 

Marine Rotational Force 2021 departs Darwin

20/10/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1846 Views 0 Comments

The 2021 Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) has departed the NT, ending the 10th rotation of US Marines through Australia’s Top End.

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Australian and Japanese soldiers and US Marines participate in a smoking ceremony Robertson Barracks to kick-start Exercise Southern Jackaroo. Photo by Barrie Collins, for CONTACT.
Australian Army MRF-D News Pacific 

Exercise Southern Jackaroo off to a smokin start

15/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2101 Views 0 Comments

MRF-D, Australian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel began Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2021 in Northern Territory today.

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United States Marines from the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin participate in Darwin's 2021 ANZAC Day march. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.
MRF-D News 

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin hit with 2 more COVID-19 cases

26/04/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2095 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

Two US Marines in Darwin returned positive COVID-19 results during routine testing as part of mandatory 14-day quarantine after arrival.

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A US Marine with the 2021 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin is COVID-19 tested on arrival at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.
Australian MRF-D News 

US Marine in Darwin tests positive for COVID-19

15/02/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1549 Views 0 Comments COVID-19

A 21-year-old male US Marine with MRF-D tested positive for COVID-19 at initial screening on arrival in Darwin last week.

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The first 2021 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Marines, disembark their charter aircraft at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.
MRF-D News 

First Marines for MRF-D 10 land in Darwin

13/02/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2198 Views 0 Comments

The first wave of the 2021 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin landed at RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory this week.

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The first plane-load of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin marines are greeted by biosecurity officers at RAAF Base Darwin. The marines were tested for COVID-19 and placed in a 14-day quarantine facility. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Natalie Greenwood.
MRF-D News 

2021 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin begins

06/02/202106/02/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2576 Views 0 Comments

United States Marines from the 10th Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) will soon begin arriving in Darwin. FILE PHOTO

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US Marines and sailors with Ground Combat Element, MRF-D, engage in casualty evacuation drills during Exercise Koolendong in Northern Territory, Australia. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Sarah Marshall.
ADF Australian MRF-D News 

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin number 9 finished

22/10/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2040 Views 0 Comments

US Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 2020 has completed a successful if curtailed ninth rotation in Australia.

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Gunner Thalia Tabuai (right) of 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, and US Marine Corps Corporal Kevin Dominic Matias ram a high-explosive projectile into the breach of an M777A2 Howitzer. Photo by Corporal Rodrigo Villablanca.
Australian Australian Army MRF-D News 

Echos of joint Aussie/Marine thunder Downunder

13/10/202013/10/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3013 Views 0 Comments

Combined Australian army and US Marine howitzers unleashed about 1200 rounds during Exercise Koolendong at Mount Bundy from September.

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A US Marine lays down supporting fire during Exercise Koolendong. US Marine Corps photo by Corporal Lydia Gordon.
Australian Australian Army MRF-D News 

Exercise Koolendong 2020 – most complex ever

11/09/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3213 Views 0 Comments

Australian Army and US Marines have completed Exercise Koolendong 2020, a high-end, live-fire warfighting exercise in the Northern Territory.

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